Arkansas: Get Educated About Education (continued)

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Social Studies
• Science
• Tools for Learning
• Fine Arts
• Practical Living Skills/Career Exploration
• Health & Safety Education and Physical Education

Assessment Overview for 2005-2006

Grade

Tested Criterion-Referenced Test NAEP Norm-Referenced and National Tests

• K ELL Language Acquisition Iowa Test: Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Listening, Language, Math

• 1 ELL Language Acquisition Iowa Test: Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Listening, Language, Math Concepts, Math Problem Solving

• 2 ELL Language Acquisition Iowa Test: Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Listening, Language, Math Concepts, Math Problem Solving

• 3 Benchmark Literacy & Math Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social ELL Language Acquisition Studies, Science

• 4 Benchmark Literacy & Math Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP U.S. History Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social ELL Language Acquisition Civics Studies, Science

Grades 5-8: Smart Step

Smart Step is a comprehensive initiative based on the premise that all students can be successful. The goal is to have all students on grade level in reading and mathematics by the end of grade 8. Again, reading, writing and mathematics shall be incorporated into all curriculum areas that include instruction annually in the following subject areas:

• Language Arts
• Mathematics
• Science
• Social Studies
• Physical Education
• Fine Arts
• Health & Safety
• Tools for Learning
• Career and Technical Education
• Arkansas History

Assessment Overview for 2005-2006

Grade

Tested Criterion-Referenced Test NAEP Norm-Referenced and National Tests

• 5 Benchmark Literacy & Math Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social

• Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP Studies, Science

ELL Language Acquisition

• 6 Benchmark Literacy & Math Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP Science ELL Language Acquisition

• 7 Benchmark Literacy & Math Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP Science ELL Language Acquisition

• 8 Benchmark Literacy & Math Alternate Portfolios for LEP and IEP U.S. History Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math, Social Studies, ELL Language Acquisition Civics Science; ACT EXPLORE

GRADES 9-12: NEXT STEP

Next Step is a state initiative focused on improving Arkansas public high schools for all students so that they are prepared for life beyond graduation. The goal is to implement educational strategies that are innovative, effective, rigorous, relevant, and rewarding so that students are prepared to compete and be successful in the everchanging global marketplace.

High School Graduation Requirements

For the graduating classes of 2005 - 2008, a minimum total of 21 units must be earned by a student in grades 9 -12 in order for that student to be entitled to graduate from an Arkansas public high school. Only one of the units can be a physical education course. The 21 units are as follows:

Core Curriculum - 15 units

• English - 4 units
• Social Studies - 3 units (1 unit of World History, 1 unit of U.S. History, 1/2 unit of Civics or Government)
• Mathematics - 3 units (1 unit of Algebra or its equivalent, 1 unit of Geometry or its equivalent)
• Science - 3 units (at least 1 unit of biology and 1 unit of physical science)
• Oral Communications - 1/2 unit
• Physical Education - 1/2 unit
• Health & Safety - 1/2 unit
• Fine Arts - 1/2 unit
• Career Focus - 6 units
• All units in the career focus requirement are established by the local school district.
• All the core curriculum and career focus units must total at least 21 units to graduate. Local school districts may require additional units for graduation beyond the 15 core units and 6 career focus units.
• For the graduating classes of 2009, an additional math unit will be required, equaling 22 minimum units required to graduate.
• For the graduating class of 2010 and beyond, students will be required to meet the Smart Core curriculum requirements of 22 units, which are as follows:

Smart Core Curriculum - 16 units

• English - 4 units to be taken in 9th, 10th, 11th and 12th grades
• Social Studies - 3 units
• Civic or Civics/American Government
• World History
• American History
• Mathematics - 4 units
• Algebra I or Algebra A & B (Grades 7-8 or 8-9)
• Geometry or Investigating Geometry or Geometry A & B (Grades 8-9 or 9-10)
• Algebra II
• Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Trigonometry, Statistics, Computer Math, Algebra III or Advanced Placement Math)
• In addition, all students must take a mathematics course in grade 11 or grade 12 and complete Algebra II)
• Physical Science - 3 units from the following options:
  • Physical Science
  • Biology
  • Applied Biology/Chemistry
  • Chemistry
  • Physics
  • Principles of Technology I & II
  • PIC Physics
• Oral Communications - 1/2 unit
• Physical Education - 1/2 unit
• Health & Safety - 1/2 unit
• Fine Arts - 1/2 unit

Career Focus - 6 units

• All units in the career focus requirement are established by the local school district.

• All the core curriculum and career focus units must total at least 22 units to graduate.

• Local school districts may require additional units for graduation beyond the 16 core units and 6 career focus units.

Grades 9-12: Next Step (continued)

Beginning with those students who are in 9th grade during 2006-2007, all high school students will participate in the Smart Core curriculum unless the parent or guardian waives the student’s right to participate. In that event, the curriculum units are the same for the original Common Core curriculum with the exception of 4 units of Mathematics (1 unit of Algebra, 1 unit of Geometry; concurrent credit college courses may be substituted).

Assessment Overview for 2005-2006

Grade

• Tested Criterion-Referenced Test NAEP Norm-Referenced and National Tests
• 9 End-of-course Algebra I Iowa Test: Reading, Language Arts, Math,
• Algebra I Portfolio for LEP Social Studies, Science

9th Grade

• Math for IEP
• ELL Language Acquisition

10th Grade

• End-of-course Geometry ACT PLAN
• Geometry Portfolios for LEP
• ELL Language Acquisition
• Development only of Biology items

11th Grade

• Literacy ACT
• Literacy Portfolios for LEP and IEP Advanced Placement Exams
• ELL Language Acquisition
• 12 ELL Language Acquisition U.S. History ACT
• Civics Advanced Placement Exams
• Economics